A CENTURY BY Vikram Solanki, notable for its blend of class and good fortune, carried Worcestershire to 255 for three at tea, when they trailed Durham by only nine runs.

After a wicketless morning, Durham finally made the breakthrough when left-hander James Cameron tried to paddle Ian Blackwell round the corner and was bowled for 74.

He had put on 138 with Solanki, who was unbeaten on 104 at tea, having shown unusual restraint in adding only 42 during the session.

Moeen Ali was caught down the leg side by Phil Mustard in Dale Benkenstein’s first over, but Alexei Kervezee sped to 43 at the break.

Durham had bowled 67 overs before Scott Borthwick was introduced and Solanki, on 85, edged him for four. In the leg-spinner’s second over he was driven for six over extra cover to take Solanki to 99, but when the batsman went down the pitch to the next ball he was deceived by a googly.

Unfortunately, extra bounce also defeated Mustard and Solanki survived the stumping chance before turning the next ball just out of short leg’s reach to complete his hundred off 186 balls.

Leaders Warwickshire lost a chunk of the afternoon to rain at the Rose Bowl, but reached 429 for seven with Shivnarine Chanderpaul making 171.